Bill
Bill > SR110
summary
Introduced
09/19/2024
09/19/2024
In Committee
09/19/2024
09/19/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This resolution urges Congress and the President of the United States to enact the "Social Security Fairness Act," currently pending in Congress. Many of New Jersey's law enforcement officers, firefighters, and certain local governmental employees are unfairly penalized by Social Security offsets that reduce or eliminate the earned Social Security benefits of these employees or their spouses. Social Security was enacted in 1935. Initially, state and local governments and their employees were prohibited from participating. Over the years, federal laws were passed allowing these employers and employees the opportunity to elect to join the program. Most public employees in New Jersey retirement systems contribute to Social Security with the exception of law enforcement officers, firefighters, correctional officers, and others in certain local retirement systems. The windfall elimination provision (WEP) reduces benefits that were paid for as part of the Social Security payroll tax. The WEP can lead to a significant reduction of the Social Security benefit and can deprive a retiree of up to $587 per month of the Social Security that was earned and paid. The survivor benefit was paid for by the Social Security earner as part of the Social Security payroll tax. The survivor benefit was created to ensure the surviving spouse was not left without adequate financial support. The government pension offset (GPO) eliminates the survivor benefit even with a modest public pension. These provisions cause first responders and certain local governmental employees to prematurely retire and discourage qualified individuals from entering into government service. The "Social Security Fairness Act" would repeal these provisions.
AI Summary
This resolution urges Congress and the President to pass the "Social Security Fairness Act," which would eliminate two controversial provisions of the Social Security Act: the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These provisions currently reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for certain public employees, particularly those in law enforcement, firefighting, and local government roles who may not have fully participated in Social Security throughout their careers. The resolution highlights that these provisions unfairly penalize public servants, with statistics showing that 4,126 New Jersey retirees are affected by the GPO, and 22,689 are impacted by the WEP, potentially losing up to $587 per month in earned benefits. The resolution argues that these provisions discourage qualified individuals from entering public service and force some workers to retire prematurely, as they can effectively prohibit retirees from collecting both their public pension and full Social Security benefits. By urging the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, the resolution seeks to restore what it considers to be fair treatment of public employees who have dedicated their careers to serving their communities.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 09/19/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/SR110 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SR/110_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SR/110_I2.HTM |
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